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Lemonade | Rev. Roger Bertschausen & Sybil Madison

February Theme: Embodying Resilience

Live stream link can be found here.

Today’s flowers are given by Norman Coleman in honor of all the February and Aquarius birthdays, especially that of his wife, Jane, whose 78th birthday is today! To reserve flowers for the Chalice Table email flowers@unitytemple.org.

OFFERING : Side With Love

Each week, Unity Temple splits the offering evenly. One half supports the programs and mission of our congregation. This week, the other half benefits Side With Love. Side with Love is the organizing strategy team of the Unitarian Universalist Association. They harness the power of love to confront and transform systems of oppression and build a world where all people can thrive. Through organizing, education, and mobilization, they equip Unitarian Universalists and aligned communities to take spiritually grounded, justice-oriented action. They are a great resource in these times for education and action opportunities. Check out their website sidewithlove.org. 

You may donate by placing cash or check in one of the circulating baskets during the service OR:

• by sending a check to the Unity Temple office (875 Lake St., Oak Park, 60301) with org name on memo line, 
• by texting 73256 with the message UTUUC and select “Offering,” 
• by using the camera on your phone to scan the QR code on the screen during the Offertory. 
• You can also give at the UTUUC website. 

Sunday Worship Services 9am and 10:45am

Each week we offer two worship services; 9am and 10:45am. The 9am service will be live-streamed and available as a recording afterwards. The 10:45am service will not be live-streamed or recorded. You can access the live stream on YouTube at 9am here.

Community Hour

Join us after service at Community Hour for refreshments and fellowship in Unity House.

Immigration Justice will be collecting new or gently used blankets, winter coats and winter boots, hats & scarves for Centro San Bernadino at services on Feb. 1 and Feb. 8. Thank you for helping keep our immigrant neighbors warm!

Spiritual Leadership Foundations Program As we continue to nurture and strengthen our beloved community, we are excited to announce the launch of our upcoming lay leadership development program, Spiritual Leadership Foundations. This transformative 4-week journey aims to uplift leadership within our congregation while fostering spiritual growth. Only 12 spots are available for this program. We encourage all interested members to apply by Friday, February 20th. Details and application can be found here.

Pathway to Membership Our next session will be Sunday, February 15 from 12:30–4pm. The Pathway to Membership class provides an opportunity to learn about our mission, programs, operations, volunteer opportunities and more. Questions? Please reach out to Val Ridenour at membership@unitytemple.org. 

Unity Temple Justice Network

Passionate about Democracy? Immigration? Eco Justice? Prison Ministry? LGBTQ+ and Reproductive issues? Whatever you care about, search our Justice calendar to find what’s happening at Unity Temple that fits your interests and your schedule.

Know Your Rights Before ICE Returns

Know Your Rights trainings throughout our area at local congregations in preparation for increased ICE/CBP presence this spring. Our congregation will be hosting one of these trainings on Sunday February 22 from 2-4 p.m. The goal of these trainings is to give community members an overview of their rights as it pertains to interactions with immigration agents. We will also discuss personal risk evaluation, as well as both formal and informal ways to get involved in supporting our community and protecting our neighbors and ourselves. Registration information is forthcoming. For questions contact Rev. Emily Gage. 

Pizza? Mosaic? Widening the Circle?

Widening the Circle invites EVERYONE for pizza and discussion in Unity House, after second service on Sunday, Feb. 22. Our children (K-5) have completed two lessons from the UUA Mosaic Lifespan Anti-Racism Anti-Oppression Multicultural Curriculum. Curious? Intergenerational participation will make this event even more meaningful and fun! Let’s engage together in some of the same thought-provoking questions the kids have been exploring.

Immigration Justice The greatest need for our immigrant neighbors right now is accompaniment. This means working with a team to assist an immigrant family living on their own OR accompanying them to court for their asylum appearances. Spanish language skills are appreciated but not absolutely necessary. If this is something you’d be interested in please let us know and we’ll put you in touch with the right people! Reach out to immigrationjustice@unitytemple.org.

UUANI Empowers UUs Across Illinois to work for spiritually grounded, relationally accountable, and strategically effective action in solidarity with those most impacted by injustice. We provide leadership training, build congregational capacity and organize statewide advocacy efforts in loving accountability with our partners. Our Actions of the Week make it easy for UUs to make a difference. Together, we seek to bend the arc toward justice. Learn more and get news here.

The Emily Dickinson Ensemble Performs at UT The Unity Temple Music program presents "An Afternoon With Emily," a performance of poetry and new music composed to her poetry. The Dickinson Ensemble is a group of highly talented professional vocalists and instrumentalists dedicated to Dikinson's work often including profound, often dark, nature, and consciousness through intense imagery and intimate, ambiguous, or philosophical language. The music is engaging!  Join us on Saturday, February 28 at 2 p.m.  There is a $20 suggested donation.

Women’s Retreat February 27–March 1, 2026 Care, Connection, Conversation & Community Join us for the 2026 UTUUC Women’s Retreat at the Carmelite Spiritual Center in Darien, IL. We will again offer options to attend the retreat for the whole weekend as well as Saturday only (commuter). Let’s get a start on 2026 as we prepare for whatever comes our way in the new year. Join us for our Saturday morning keynote feature: A World Cafe on Care, Connection, Conversation and Community facilitated by Anne White. The theme reminds us of why we come together in an annual retreat located in a beautiful location.

This year’s retreat will include two workshop sessions Saturday afternoon. Some offerings are Improv Games, Collaging, Guided Imagery, Loving Kindness Meditation, Drum Circle, Felties, Outdoor Meditation and more. LAST DAY TO REGISTER IS FEBRUARY 15. Link here to register.

Community Fridge Food Drive

Please join us on the February 8, 2026, for our Community Fridge food donation event. Help us stock the fridge and support our neighbors by bringing non-perishable items to share.

UTUUC Cares 

For those of us who are facing life challenges, help is available. The Caring Committee arranges for meals and other practical assistance for those in need of help due to illness and other life limitations. Reach out to caring@unitytemple.org. If you would like a compassionate ear when facing troubling circumstances, trained, commissioned members of the Spiritual Care Team are available to meet with you. The team can be reached at spiritualcare@unitytemple.org.

2025-2026 RE Registration

Each year, we ask our families to register and re-register their children for our religious education programming. It ensures we have the most up to date information about our young people, helps us with planning, and gives us an ongoing communication loop. Along with information, we ask for a registration fee of $100 per child. These fees help support all elements of our program. Scholarships are granted by request to Val Ridenour vridenour@unitytemple.org. Please register your child/children for Religious Education on our website using this link.

Classroom Support

Join us in supporting our very dedicated volunteer class leaders on Sunday mornings! No preparation, just presence! Your involvement makes a big difference for the safety of our classes and the experience for our community. This is a direct way for you to engage with our young people. You can sign up here for a Sunday service that works best for your schedule. If you have any questions, email  

recommittee@unitytemple.org.

Daily Mindful Reflection Community 30 minute meeting, 7 days a week! Starts at 8:25am and ends at 9am every day, seven days a week. The daily meditation will include opening words, 20 minutes of mindful reflection, and closing words. All are welcome! You are welcome to attend regularly or sporadically.  Time: Every Day (including weekends) at 8:30am Central Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting here.

Tuesday Evening Mindful Reflection Community We meet virtually and in person at the UTUUC Community Center. Meeting opens at 7pm CT for camaraderie. The program starts promptly at 7:20pm and ends at 9pm. If the front door is locked please ring the doorbell and if it's after 7:20pm please walk around to the back door and knock. We will follow our usual format with an ingathering, 20 minutes of Mindful Reflection followed by a dharma talk and discussion.We always end by 9pm. Questions email mindful@unitytemple.org. 

Join the Zoom meeting here.

Sacred Wanderings Saturday, February 7, 2026 in Thatcher Woods from 8:30am CDT to 10:30am Location: Thatcher Woods, North Pavilion, 80030 Chicago Ave., Maywood, IL 60153. Follow the signs for Sacred Wandering, Free parking. We meet in all weather condition so please dress appropriately. Bring a chair and a tea cup for tea at the sharing circle as close our meeting. 

Join Jay, Terry Roz Lutz, and Kevin Kuhn as we intentionally practice connecting with nature and surrounding ourselves with the energy of the natural world. Forest bathing is not taking a leisurely walk in the woods to enjoy the scenery. There's a specific intention in the practice to connect with the natural world and to gain benefit and energy from it. In other words, you are bathing in the energy of the trees, leaves, sky, and earth. Meditation and mindfulness assists in securing this intention. There will be silence and discussion.

Those with physical challenges are easily accommodated. If you have any questions please email mindful@unitytemple.org. We look forward to seeing you! 

Mark Maynard (pictured) and Terry Kinsey represented Unity Temple at the LGBTQ+/Gender & Reproductive Justice table during the 2026 Youth Leadership Summit at Oak Park and River Forest High School, engaging youth and their leaders in conversation about the congregation’s LGBTQ+ ministries, including the Justice Team, Rainbow Connection, and Parents and Families of Gender Diverse Children.

UTUUC Office Hours Staff are present at 1019 South Blvd from 9am–3pm, Tuesday through Thursday. Otherwise, staff can be reached via email and appointments made for other days/times. Please note, staff in-office hours do not affect congregant access for events.

Chalice Table Reservations We welcome floral arrangements or other decorations such as objects from nature or spiritual symbols to be included on our Chalice Table during worship on Sunday mornings. Please refrain from political/campaign related objects as they will be removed. To reserve a date, please fill out this form. Thank you for contributing to our worship experience. For assistance contact

flowers@unitytemple.org.

Joys & Sorrows Sharing If you’d like to have a joy or sorrow sharing during the worship service, email the Spiritual Care Team at spiritualcare@unitytemple.org.

Guidelines for submissions to the eBeacon newsletter can be found here.

Congregational Life Table Reservation Would you like to reserve a table to promote congregational happenings during Community Hour in Unity House? Hosting a table is a great way to make sure congregants know how to participate in events, activities, and service opportunities. Table Guidelines can be found here. To reserve space contact 

vridenour@unitytemple.org.

We Celebrate Our Differences :: The beloved community includes people with diverse life experiences. Here at Unity Temple we call people to live out the values of our faith: interdependence, pluralism, justice, equity, generosity and transformation. As Unitarian Universalists, we affirm the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large while also knowing that endorsements or support of particular candidates cannot be part of our congregational process.

Planned Giving offers a variety of meaningful ways to support our congregation through charitable gifts and can be made by anybody – young and old, working or retired. These gifts are made today, but they support the future needs of your congregation and Unitarian Universalism. You can obtain more information about planned gifts by contacting the Planned Giving Team at 

plannedgiving@unitytemple.org

Land Acknowledgement of Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation, read here.